A trend among some of America's faithful combines church membership and a gym experience. Increasingly, the congregants are turning Sunday into a day for spirituality and sweat, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez. <\/p>\n
Gwen Kelley attends Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, and says she's following the word of God all the way to the gym. <\/p>\n
She doesn't have to go far; her workout is at her place of worship, but the thought of going to any gym was daunting. <\/p>\n
\"When you are overweight, you just kind of feel that you should not take up space,\" Kelley said. \"At any other gym people aren't going to understand that God is allowing me to take up space, so I will feel more judged there.\" <\/p>\n
Toby Graham, who is also a church member, is her trainer. <\/p>\n
\"I think people are starting to understand that there is a really powerful connection between spiritual wellness and physical wellness,\" she said. <\/p>\n
While a higher purpose may help encourage a healthy lifestyle, it can also go the other way. <\/p>\n
One study from Northwestern University found young adults who frequently attended religious activities were 50 percent more likely to become obese by middle age than those who did not. <\/p>\n
Throughout Texas and other parts of the nation, more churches are motivating members to work out, adding state-of-the-art facilities and charging members a nominal fee, as low as $10, for access. <\/p>\n
There's even a magazine called Faith and Fitness. <\/p>\n
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Crossroads of faith and fitness<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A trend among some of America's faithful combines church membership and a gym experience. Increasingly, the congregants are turning Sunday into a day for spirituality and sweat, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez. Gwen Kelley attends Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, and says she's following the word of God all the way to the gym Continue reading